As the LA Clippers head into March, there will be thoughts of the playoffs. The team can’t lose focus though as they have a tough month ahead.
Per our predictions thus far, the LA Clippers head into March sitting at a comfortable 43-16. That great record will be tested though as they face a large number of quality teams. They will be tested night after night as the season starts to wind down and everyone begins to jostle for seeding.
March 1 – 5
March 1 – vs. Philadelphia 76ers
First up for the Clips in March is a visit from the team from the City of Brotherly Love. Fan’s probably won’t love the outcome here though. Philadelphia’s height is the Clippers’ kryptonite and barring some big defensive growth from Ivica Zubac, the Clips just won’t be able to protect the paint from the likes of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Al Horford. Clips drop this one.
March 3 – @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Next up is a visit to some old friends and a homecoming for Paul George. The Clips head to Oklahoma City to face off against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chris Paul (assuming he’s still there) and Danilo Gallinari.
OKC will be a fringe playoff team, but with some surprise victories, could be right in the midst of the race. The Clippers can’t afford to take a night off here.
OKC could cause some trouble, especially if Shai and Steven Adams have their pick-and-roll down at this point in the season. Still, the Thunder don’t have the depth to compete with the Clippers here, so LA takes this one.
March 5 – @ Houston Rockets
After OKC, the Clips travel to face a Western Conference heavy hitter in Houston. With the addition of Russell Westbrook and the assumed MVP-level play of James Harden, the Rockets won’t be an easy win. Their style of shooting three after three will require the Clips to play small often, which could cause a disadvantage. It will be a hard-fought game, but the Clippers drop this one in Houston before heading back home.